Six Sweet Corvette Confections Still For Sale After RM’s Auburn Auction
The price of entry may be steep, but the best of the best is never cheap.
The finest of their kind can yet be yours
Dozens of the amazing rides were on offer at RM Auctions’ Auburn Fall sale, held at their Auburn Auction Park in Indiana August 29 through Sept. 1, 2019, including a variety of ‘Vettes like the six featured here. All but one—the Nickey, Lot #3127—are from the late Jim Mangione’s collection, and none of them found new homes. That means they are still for sale, and while we don’t have access to the non-winning high bids, RM Auction’s estimated price range is provided for each in their title.
All images courtesy of RM Auctions, with photographers as noted.
All photo illustrations by the author.
1957 “Big Brake & Airbox” Fuelie Convertible [Est. $400k-$500k]
All ’57 Corvettes are special in their own right, but some—like Lot #3092—are more special than others. Out of 6,339 units built that year, just over a thousand came with the new fuel-injected 283 cu.-in. V8. Of those, only 43 were equipped with a fiberglass cold-air-inhaling airbox developed by Zora Arkus-Duntov for racing, along with its mandatory four-speed manual, Positraction rear end, and column-mounted 8,000 rpm tach. Adding the whoa to the go is a set of enlarged and finned metallic-lined brake drums with fender-top scoops for cooling, a feature found on just 51 ‘57s. If you want to own the car that made “Corvette” synonymous with “sports car,” this is it.
All images courtesy of RM Auctions, with photographers as noted.
All photo illustrations by the author.
>>Join the conversation about these Corvettes for sale right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
1959 “Gasser” Convertible [Est. $80k-$100k]
“The more custom the car, the more limited the market” is a phrase Lot #3077 exemplifies. And given that the average age of the “gasser” fan is likely higher than this car’s model year, it’s the “hardest sell” on this list. Sporting a 350-cu. in. V8 with Hedman Heads and Stahl Headers, topped with a Weiland 671 supercharger and backed by a Borg-Warner Super T10 four-speed transmission, this car likely has the go-to match the show. Speaking of, its “Damson Plum Firemist Acrylic Lacquer” goes well with the burgundy fabric interior, but the ultimate touch is the “See Ya!” lettering on the car’s trunk lid.
All images courtesy of RM Auctions, with photographers as noted.
All photo illustrations by the author.
>>Join the conversation about these Corvettes for sale right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
1967 Sting Ray COPO Convertible (Mitchell’s Wife) [Est. $400k-$500k]
The Central Order Production Office may be gone, but it's legacy—be it 427-powered Camaros or this unique Corvette Sting Ray Convertible—lives on. While Lot #3122's 400 hp Tri-Power 427 cu. in. engine and heavy-duty Powerglide transmission combo isn’t commonplace, it’s the fact that this Ermine White drop-top was ordered by none other than GM Design head honcho Bill Mitchell for his wife with a variety of custom touches to plans drafted by the aforementioned “father of the Corvette” Zora Arkus-Duntov himself. And you can believe it was the finest ’67 ever to travel the line as Mr. Mitchell was alongside it every step of the way. It’s no wonder it received the first Bloomington Gold Historic Award post-restoration in 2001.
All images courtesy of RM Auctions, with photographers as noted.
All photo illustrations by the author.
>>Join the conversation about these Corvettes for sale right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
1968 Stingray Nickey 427 Coupe [Est. $80k-$100k]
For those unfamiliar, Nickey Chevrolet of Chicago made its name by making fast cars faster and better-looking in many respects. In addition to the hottest mill, one could get short of the L88—of which we’ll get to (twice) in a minute—the purposely-underrated “435 hp” 427 cu. in. V8 and Muncie M21 four-speed manual transmission, Nickey added to Lot #3127 a set of Hooker Headers side exhaust pipes for better flow, chose the 4.11 Positraction rear end for quicker go, and a set of T-70 Torq Thrust wheels and Firestone redline tires to improve the show. Stated to be fully numbers-matching and certified as the real deal by The Nickey Registry, all this award-winning Shark needs is a new home.
All images courtesy of RM Auctions, with photographers as noted.
All photo illustrations by the author.
>>Join the conversation about these Corvettes for sale right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
1968 Stingray L88 Convertible [Est. $475k-$575k]
There are a lot of famous classic appellations Chevrolet has reused on the Corvette (and others), but one—rightly—stands above the rest: L88. Built from 1967 to 1969, just 216 of these fire-breathing monsters were unleashed upon the world in coupe and convertible form. Meant only for hardcore racers, Chevy purposely underrated the L88 427 at 430 hp so as to make the motor in the aforementioned Nickey ‘Vette seem like the one for the average car nut ought to opt for. In fact, they officially denied that the L88 motor could be sold for street use. Well, 80 were built in 1968 nonetheless—even though the L88 option added a quarter of the whole car’s MSRP—and Lot #3106, a well-documented British Green Poly over Saddle vinyl convertible with its optional matching hardtop and Rally wheels is one of the best-looking of the bunch.
All images courtesy of RM Auctions, with photographers as noted.
All photo illustrations by the author.
>>Join the conversation about these Corvettes for sale right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
1969 Stingray L88 Convertible [Est. $475k-$575k]
In its final year of existence, 116 L88s were built, featuring the same 600 hp race-bred 427 as its predecessors matched to the same M22 “Rock Crusher” four-speed manual. It still required the performance suspension, Posi rear end and the biggest brakes Chevy could fit it with. A/C and radio were still off the menu. But if you wanted a Corvette that’d run the quarter in 12 seconds and hit 60 mph from a standstill in just 4.2 seconds (on the skinny bias-plies of the day, remember), an L88—like Lot #3116, a two-top in Tuxedo Black over Saddle leather—was the one for you. Temperamental? Yes. Loud, hot and happiest on 103 octane fuel? Indeed. Worth every penalty it imposes and penny it takes to purchase? Ab-so-lutely.
All images courtesy of RM Auctions, with photographers as noted.
All photo illustrations by the author.
>>Join the conversation about these Corvettes for sale right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
For help with service and maintenance on your car, check out the how-to section of LS1Tech.com.